Correlation Study on Grain Size Characteristics and Geotechnical Properties of Surface Sediments in Qingdao Offshore Area

The comprehension of sediment grain size parameters and the corresponding sedimentary environment holds paramount importance in elucidating the engineering geological attributes of the subaqueous seabed.This study delineated the sedimentary environment zoning in the northern sea area of Qingdao through cluster analysis of grain size parameters derived from 123 surface sediment samples.The study analyzed the correlation between sediment geotechnical indices and grain size parameters across diverse sedimentary environments.A correlation equation was established for samples exhibiting a strong correlation.The study found four distinct sedimentary environments in the study area:coastal,transitional,shallow sea,and residual.Within the same sedimentary environment,the average grain size and sorting coefficient exhibit significant correlations with geotechnical indices such as water content,density,shear strength,plastic limit,liquid limit,and plastic index.However,notable disparities in the correlation between grain size parameters and geotechnical indices emerge across different sedimentary environments.

Uncertainty quantification of inverse analysis for geomaterials using probabilistic programming

Uncertainty is an essentially challenging for safe construction and long-term stability of geotechnical engineering.The inverse analysis is commonly utilized to determine the physico-mechanical parameters.However,conventional inverse analysis cannot deal with uncertainty in geotechnical and geological systems.In this study,a framework was developed to evaluate and quantify uncertainty in inverse analysis based on the reduced-order model(ROM)and probabilistic programming.The ROM was utilized to capture the mechanical and deformation properties of surrounding rock mass in geomechanical problems.Probabilistic programming was employed to evaluate uncertainty during construction in geotechnical engineering.A circular tunnel was then used to illustrate the proposed framework using analytical and numerical solution.The results show that the geomechanical parameters and associated uncertainty can be properly obtained and the proposed framework can capture the mechanical behaviors under uncertainty.Then,a slope case was employed to demonstrate the performance of the developed framework.The results prove that the proposed framework provides a scientific,feasible,and effective tool to characterize the properties and physical mechanism of geomaterials under uncertainty in geotechnical engineering problems.

Fiber optic monitoring of an anti-slide pile in a retrogressive landslide

Anti-slide piles are one of the most important reinforcement structures against landslides,and evalu-ating the working conditions is of great significance for landslide mitigation.The widely adopted analytical methods of pile internal forces include cantilever beam method and elastic foundation beam method.However,due to many assumptions involved in calculation,the analytical models cannot be fully applicable to complex site situations,e.g.landslides with multi-sliding surfaces and pile-soil interface separation as discussed herein.In view of this,the combination of distributed fiber optic sensing(DFOS)and strain-internal force conversion methods was proposed to evaluate the working conditions of an anti-sliding pile in a typical retrogressive landslide in the Three Gorges reservoir area,China.Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry(BOTDR)was utilized to monitor the strain distri-bution along the pile.Next,by analyzing the relative deformation between the pile and its adjacent inclinometer,the pile-soil interface separation was profiled.Finally,the internal forces of the anti-slide pile were derived based on the strain-internal force conversion method.According to the ratio of calculated internal forces to the design values,the working conditions of the anti-slide pile could be evaluated.The results demonstrated that the proposed method could reveal the deformation pattern of the anti-slide pile system,and can quantitatively evaluate its working conditions.

Thermo-hydro-poro-mechanical responses of a reservoir-induced landslide tracked by high-resolution fiber optic sensing nerves

Thermo-poro-mechanical responses along sliding zone/surface have been extensively studied.However,it has not been recognized that the potential contribution of other crucial engineering geological interfaces beyond the slip surface to progressive failure.Here,we aim to investigate the subsurface multiphysics of reservoir landslides under two extreme hydrologic conditions(i.e.wet and dry),particularly within sliding masses.Based on ultra-weak fiber Bragg grating(UWFBG)technology,we employ specialpurpose fiber optic sensing cables that can be implanted into boreholes as“nerves of the Earth”to collect data on soil temperature,water content,pore water pressure,and strain.The Xinpu landslide in the middle reach of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area in China was selected as a case study to establish a paradigm for in situ thermo-hydro-poro-mechanical monitoring.These UWFBG-based sensing cables were vertically buried in a 31 m-deep borehole at the foot of the landslide,with a resolution of 1 m except for the pressure sensor.We reported field measurements covering the period 2021 and 2022 and produced the spatiotemporal profiles throughout the borehole.Results show that wet years are more likely to motivate landslide motions than dry years.The annual thermally active layer of the landslide has a critical depth of roughly 9 m and might move downward in warmer years.The dynamic groundwater table is located at depths of 9e15 m,where the peaked strain undergoes a periodical response of leap and withdrawal to annual hydrometeorological cycles.These interface behaviors may support the interpretation of the contribution of reservoir regulation to slope stability,allowing us to correlate them to local damage events and potential global destabilization.This paper also offers a natural framework for interpreting thermo-hydro-poro-mechanical signatures from creeping reservoir bank slopes,which may form the basis for a landslide monitoring and early warning system.

Effect of NaCl Concentration on the Cumulative Strain and Pore Distribution of Clay under Cyclic Loading

Clay,as the most common soil used for foundationfill,is widely used in various infrastructure projects.The phy-sical and mechanical properties of clay are influenced by the pore solution environment.This study uses a GDS static/dynamic triaxial apparatus and nuclear magnetic resonance experiments to investigate the effects of cyclic loading on clay foundations.Moreover,the development of cumulative strain in clay is analyzed,and afitting model for cumulative plastic strain is introduced by considering factors such as NaCl solution concentration,con-solidation stress ratio,and cycle number.In particular,the effects of the NaCl solution concentration and con-solidation stress ratio on the pore distribution of the test samples before and after cyclic loading are examined,and the relationship between microscopic pore size and macroscopic cumulative strain is obtained accordingly.Our results show that as the consolidation stress ratio grows,an increasing number of large pores in the soil samples are transformed into small pores.As the NaCl solution concentration becomes higher,the number of small pores gradually decreases,while the number of large pores remains unchanged.Cyclic loading causes the disappearance of the large pores in the samples,and the average pore size before cyclic loading is posi-tively correlated with the axial cumulative strain after cyclic loading.The cumulative strain produced by the soil under cyclic loading is inversely proportional to the NaCl solution concentration and consolidation stress ratio.

Innovative Techniques Unveiled in Advanced Sheet Pile Curtain Design

This thorough review explores the complexities of geotechnical engineering, emphasizing soil-structure interaction (SSI). The investigation centers on sheet pile design, examining two primary methodologies: Limit Equilibrium Methods (LEM) and Soil-Structure Interaction Methods (SSIM). While LEM methods, grounded in classical principles, provide valuable insights for preliminary design considerations, they may encounter limitations in addressing real-world complexities. In contrast, SSIM methods, including the SSI-SR approach, introduce precision and depth to the field. By employing numerical techniques such as Finite Element (FE) and Finite Difference (FD) analyses, these methods enable engineers to navigate the dynamics of soil-structure interaction. The exploration extends to SSI-FE, highlighting its essential role in civil engineering. By integrating Finite Element analysis with considerations for soil-structure interaction, the SSI-FE method offers a holistic understanding of how structures dynamically interact with their geotechnical environment. Throughout this exploration, the study dissects critical components governing SSIM methods, providing engineers with tools to navigate the intricate landscape of geotechnical design. The study acknowledges the significance of the Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model while recognizing its limitations, and guiding practitioners toward informed decision-making in geotechnical analyses. As the article concludes, it underscores the importance of continuous learning and innovation for the future of geotechnical engineering. With advancing technology and an evolving understanding of soil-structure interaction, the study remains committed to ensuring the safety, stability, and efficiency of geotechnical structures through cutting-edge design and analysis techniques.

Characterization and Geotechnical Classification of Soils and Lateritic Gravelly Materials along the Songololo-Lufu Road Axis (Kongo Central Province, DR Congo)

This study aims to characterize from a geotechnical point of view, the soils as well as the lateritic gravels along the Songololo-Lufu road route in the Kongo Central Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Ten soil samples and eight lateritic gravel samples were analysed and tested in the laboratory. For each sample, identification parameters were determined such as particle size analysis, natural water content, Atterberg limits (plasticity index and consistency index), but also compaction and lift parameters such as optimal water content, maximum dry density and CBR lift index. All materials and soils have been classified according to the Congolese Road Standard (NRC) and according to the American HRB classification. The test results show us that clay soils almost always contain between 70% and 90% fine fraction;the grained fraction represents less than 30% in clay samples. For lateritic gravels soils, the percentage of fine elements varies between 35% and 15%;in sand around 20%;the gravelly fraction represents a little more than 50% of the soil. The majority of soil facies encountered define a plasticity index lower than 15. As for the consistency index, we obtained values greater than 1, both for clayey soils and for gravelly soils. The classification according to NRC defined for these soils the types Ae1 and Ae2 for the clayey facies and the types GL1 and GL2 for the gravelly soils, while that of the HRB identified the classes and subclasses A-6 and A-7-6 for clayey soils, and subclass A-2-6 for gravelly soils. The optimal water content values obtained range between 10.2% and 23.10%;the maximum dry densities are between 1.66 and 2.07 t/m3 and the CBR index is between 6 and 26. As for the lateritic gravels materials of the Songololo region, the percentage of fine elements generally remains between 12% and 31%;the plasticity index is between 8 and 18;the optimal dry density is around 2 t/m3;the optimal water content is between 9.8% and 14.5% and the CBR index is between 27 and 82. The Songololo-Lufu lateritic gravels are characteristic of laterites in the savannah region, with a high gravel fraction at the expense of the fine fraction, but low parameters such as the liquid limit and plasticity index.

Unpacking data-centric geotechnics

The purpose of this paper(presented online as a keynote lecture at the 25th Annual Indonesian Geotechnical Conference on 10 Nov 2021)is to broadly conceptualize the agenda for data-centric geotechnics,an emerging field that attempts to prepare geotechnical engineering for digital transformation.The agenda must include(1)development of methods that make sense of all real-world data(not selective input data for a physical model),(2)offering insights of significant value to critical real-world decisions for current or future practice(not decisions for an ideal world or decisions of minor concern to geotechnical engineers),and(3)sensitivity to the physical context of geotechnics(not abstract data-driven analysis connected to geotechnics in a peripheral way,i.e.,engagement with the knowledge and experience base should be substantial).These three elements are termed“data centricity”,“fit for(and transform)practice”,and“geotechnical context”in the agenda.Given that a knowledge of the site is central to any geotechnical engineering project,datadriven site characterization(DDSC)must constitute one key application domain in data-centric geotechnics,although other infrastructure lifecycle phases such as project conceptualization,design,construction,operation,and decommission/reuse would benefit from data-informed decision support as well.One part of DDSC that addresses numerical soil data in a site investigation report and soil property databases is pursued under Project DeepGeo.In principle,the source of data can also go beyond site investigation,and the type of data can go beyond numbers,such as categorical data,text,audios,images,videos,and expert opinion.The purpose of Project DeepGeo is to produce a 3D stratigraphic map of the subsurface volume below a full-scale project site and to estimate relevant engineering properties at each spatial point based on actual site investigation data and other relevant Big Indirect Data(BID).Uncertainty quantification is necessary,as current real-world data is insufficient,incomplete,and/or not directly relevant to construct a deterministic map.The value of a deterministic map for decision support is debatable.The computational cost to do this for a 3D true scale subsurface volume must be reasonable.Ultimately,geotechnical structures need to be a part of a completely smart infrastructure that fits the circular economy and need to focus on delivering service to end-users and the community from project conceptualization to decommission/reuse with full integration to smart city and smart society.Although current geotechnical practice has been very successful in taking“calculated risk”informed by limited data,imperfect theories,prototype testing,observations,among others and exercising judicious caution and engineering judgment,there is no clear pathway forward to leverage on big data and digital technologies such as machine learning,BIM,and digital twin to meet more challenging needs such as sustainability and resilience engineering.

Development of mathematically motivated hybrid soft computing models for improved predictions of ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations

Ultimate bearing capacity(UBC)is a key subject in geotechnical/foundation engineering as it determines the limit of loads imposed on the foundation.The most reliable means of determining UBC is through experiment,but it is costly and time-consuming which has led to the development of various models based on the simplified assumptions.The outcomes of the models are usually validated with the experimental results,but a large gap usually exists between them.Therefore,a model that can give a close prediction of the experimental results is imperative.This study proposes a grasshopper optimization algorithm(GOA)and salp swarm algorithm(SSA)to optimize artificial neural networks(ANNs)using the existing UBC experimental database.The performances of the proposed models are evaluated using various statistical indices.The obtained results are compared with the existing models.The proposed models outperformed the existing models.The proposed hybrid GOA-ANN and SSA-ANN models are then transformed into mathematical forms that can be incorporated into geotechnical/foundation engineering design codes for accurate UBC measurements.

Contributions of Engineering Geological Properties of Subgrade Soils to Premature Failure of Major Highways in Southwestern Nigeria:A Case Study of Akure-Ikere Ekiti Highway

Geotechnical analyses were carried out to examine the contributions of engineering geological properties of subgrade soils to the failure of the Akure-Ikere Ekiti road,Southwestern Nigeria.Field observations revealed that the road is in a very poor state of serious deformation and disrepair as most parts of the road alignment have failed.The alignment of the studied road is predominantly underlain by Granite,Charnockites,and Migmatites.Laboratory tests results showed that the natural moisture content ranges from 10.98 to 21.4%,liquid limit from 22.8 to 47.7%,plastic limit from 19.2 to 24.6,plasticity index 3.6 to 26.3%.The grain size analysis revealed that the amount of fines ranges from 15.9 to 49%.Others are linear shrinkage,between 1.4 and 10%,free swell between 25 and 46%,maximum dry density from 1593 to 2016 kg/m,and CBR between 5 and 48%.The specific gravity ranges from 2.64 to 2.74.With reference to AASHTO classification,5% of the samples was classified as A-4,15% classified as A-2-4,40% classified as A-6,while 40% classified as A-7-6.The dominance of fair-to-good California bearing ratio,fair to good maximum dry density,high linear shrinkage and A-7-6,A-6,and A-2-4 soil groups have combined to give fair-to-good geotechnical properties to the studied soils.Generally,the fair to good geotechnical properties of soil of the road under study is an indication that the contribution of subgrade soil to the failure of the highway is negligible.The total breakdown of the road can be traced to substandard engineering specifications which are complemented by a poor drainage system.

Determination of rock mass integrity coefficient using a non-invasive geophysical approach

Determination of rock mechanical parameters is the most important step in rock mass quality evaluation and has significant impacts on geotechnical engineering practice.Rock mass integrity coefficient(KV)is one of the most efficient parameters,which is conventionally determined from boreholes.Such approaches,however,are time-consuming and expensive,offer low data coverage of point measurements,require heavy equipment,and are hardly conducted in steep topographic sites.Hence,borehole approaches cannot assess the subsurface thoroughly for rock mass quality evaluation.Alternatively,use of geophysical methods is non-invasive,rapid and economical.The proposed geophysical approach makes useful empirical correlation between geophysical and geotechnical parameters.We evaluated the rock mass quality via integration between KV measured from the limited boreholes and inverted resistivity obtained from electrical resistivity tomography(ERT).The borehole-ERT correlation provided KV along various geophysical profiles for more detailed 2D/3D(two-/three-dimensional)mapping of rock mass quality.The subsurface was thoroughly evaluated for rock masses with different engineering qualities,including highly weathered rock,semi-weathered rock,and fresh rock.Furthermore,ERT was integrated with induced polarization(IP)to resolve the uncertainty caused by water/clay content.Our results show that the proposed method,compared with the conventional approaches,can reduce the ambiguities caused by inadequate data,and give more accurate insights into the subsurface for rock mass quality evaluation.

Performance assessment of borehole arrangements for the design of rectangular shallow foundation systems

This study proposes a framework to evaluate the performance of borehole arrangements for the design of rectangular shallow foundation systems under spatially variable soil conditions. Performance measures are introduced to quantify, for a fixed foundation layout and given soil sounding locations, the variability level of the foundation system bearing capacities in terms of their mean values and standard deviations. To estimate these measures, the recently proposed random failure mechanism method (RFMM) has been adopted and extended to consider any arrangement of rectangular foundations and boreholes. Hence, three-dimensional bearing capacity estimation under spatially variable soil can be efficiently performed. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the applicability of the proposed framework, including diverse foundation arrangements and different soil correlation structures. Overall, the proposed framework represents a potentially useful tool to support the design of geotechnical site investigation programs, especially in situations where very limited prior knowledge about the soil properties is available.

Thermal effects on prediction accuracy of dense granite mechanical behaviors using modified maximum tangential stress criterion

Thermally-induced changes in the fracture properties of geological reservoir rocks can influence their stability,transport characteristics,and performance related to various deep subsurface energy projects.The modified maximum tangential stress(MMTS)criterion is a classical theory for predicting the fracture instability of rocks.However,there is a lack of research on the accuracy of MMTS theory when rocks are subjected to different temperatures.In this study,mechanical theoretical analysis and failure and fracture mechanics experiments of granite under the influence of temperatures ranging from 20℃to 600℃are carried out.The results showed that the theoretical estimated value of MMTS differs significantly from the experimental data at 20℃-600℃.The Keff/KIC ratio is less than the experimental test value due to the critical crack growth radius(rc)estimated by the conventional method being larger than the critical crack growth radius(rce)derived from the experimental data.Varied temperatures affect the fracture process zone size of fine-grained,compact granite,and the MMTS theoretical estimation results.Therefore,it is essential to modify the critical crack growth radius for MMTS theory to accurately predict the fracture characteristics of thermally damaged rocks.In addition,the variation of the rock’s me-chanical properties with temperature and its causes are obtained.Between 20℃and 600℃,the mode-Ⅰ,mode-Ⅱ,and mixed-mode(a-30℃and 45℃)fracture toughness and Brazilian splitting strength of the granite decrease by 80%and 73%,respectively.When the rock is heated above 400℃,its deterioration is mainly caused by a widening of its original cracks.

Feasibility study on sinkhole monitoring with fiber optic strain sensing nerves

Anthropogenic activity-induced sinkholes pose a serious threat to building safety and human life nowadays.Real-time detection and early warning of sinkhole formation are a key and urgent problem in urban areas.This paper presents an experimental study to evaluate the feasibility of fiber optic strain sensing nerves in sinkhole monitoring.Combining the artificial neural network(ANN)and particle image velocimetry(PIV)techniques,a series of model tests have been performed to explore the relationship between strain measurements and sinkhole development and to establish a conversion model from strain data to ground settlements.It is demonstrated that the failure mechanism of the soil above the sinkhole developed from a triangle failure plane to a vertical failure plane with increasing collapse volume.Meanwhile,the soil-embedded fiber optic strain sensing nerves allowed deformation monitoring of the ground soil in real time.Furthermore,the characteristics of the measured strain profiles indicate the locations of sinkholes and the associated shear bands.Based on the strain data,the ANN model predicts the ground settlement well.Additionally,micro-anchored fiber optic cables have been proven to increase the soil-to-fiber strain transfer efficiency for large deformation monitoring of ground collapse.

Fabric characteristics of in situ sand with/without liquefaction verified by anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility

It is well known that fabric of sand may significantly affect mechanical behaviors and liquefaction resistance of sand.Various optical techniques are currently utilized to visualize the fabric,especially the distribution of the long axis of soil particles.However,none of these methods provides an ideal solution in laboratory tests and in situ observation.In this study,anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility(AMS)was first proposed as a convenient and efficient way to evaluate the liquefaction of clean sand.At first,investigations with scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and AMS were simultaneously conducted on two groups of soil specimens with different initial fabrics to verify the feasibility of the AMS technique.Then,80 in situ samples were collected to analyze the feature of liquefied and non-liquefied sand layers through AMS tests.It is clearly known from the test results that the natural sedimentary fabric was destroyed during liquefaction and the fabric anisotropy was greatly changed after liquefaction.The feasibility of evaluating soil fabric using the AMS survey was verified by the laboratory tests.Furthermore,the applicability of AMS in detecting liquefied layer in situ was confirmed for the first time.

Fiber optic sensing and performance evaluation of a water conveyance tunnel with composite linings under super-high internal pressures

For long-distance water conveyance shield tunnels in operation,the high internal water pressure may cause excessive deformation of composite linings,affecting their structural integrity and serviceability.However,the deformation and failure characteristics of lining structures under internal water pressure are not well investigated in the literature,particularly for three-layer composite linings.This study presents an in situ experimental investigation on the response of two types of composite linings(i.e.separated and combined lining structures)subjected to internal pressures,in which a fiber optic nerve system(FONS)equipped with distributed strain and displacement sensing nerves was employed to monitor the performance of the two composite linings during testing.The experimental results clearly show that the damage of the tunnel lining under different internal pressures was mainly located in the self-compaction concrete layer.The separated lining structure responded more aggressively to the variations in internal pressures than the combined one.Moreover,two evaluation indices,i.e.radial displacement and effective stiffness coefficient,are proposed for describing the changes in the structural bearing performance.The effective stiffness coefficients of the two types of lining structures were reduced by 39.4%and 29.5%,respectively.Considering the convenience of field monitoring,it is suggested that the average strains at different layers can be used as characteristic parameters for estimating the health conditions of lining structures in service.The analysis results provide a practical reference for the design and health evaluation of water conveyance shield tunnels with composite linings.

Thermal integrity profiling of cast-in-situ piles in sand using fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing

Defects in cast-in-situ piles have an adverse impact on load transfer at the pile‒soil interface and pile bearing capacity. In recent years, thermal integrity profiling (TIP) has been developed to measure temperature profiles of cast-in-situ piles, enabling the detection of structural defects or anomalies at the early stage of construction. However, using this integrity testing method to evaluate potential defects in cast-in-situ piles requires a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of hydration heat transfer from piles to surrounding soils. In this study, small-scale model tests were conducted in laboratory to investigate the performance of TIP in detecting pile integrity. Fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing (DTS) technology was used to monitor detailed temperature variations along model piles in sand. Additionally, sensors were installed in sand to measure water content and matric suction. An interpretation method against available DTS-based thermal profiles was proposed to reveal the potential defective regions. It shows that the temperature difference between normal and defective piles is more obvious in wet sand. In addition, there is a critical zone of water migration in sand due to the water absorption behavior of cement and temperature transfer-induced water migration in the early-age concrete setting. These findings could provide important insight into the improvement of the TIP testing method for field applications.

Methodology for Obtaining Optimal Sleeve Friction and Friction Ratio Estimates from CPT Data

Cone penetration testing (CPT) is a cost effective and popular tool for geotechnical site characterization. CPT consists of pushing at a constant rate an electronic penetrometer into penetrable soils and recording cone bearing (qc), sleeve friction (fc) and dynamic pore pressure (u) with depth. The measured qc, fs and u values are utilized to estimate soil type and associated soil properties. A popular method to estimate soil type from CPT measurements is the Soil Behavior Type (SBT) chart. The SBT plots cone resistance vs friction ratio, Rf [where: Rf = (fs/qc)100%]. There are distortions in the CPT measurements which can result in erroneous SBT plots. Cone bearing measurements at a specific depth are blurred or averaged due to qc values being strongly influenced by soils within 10 to 30 cone diameters from the cone tip. The qcHMM algorithm was developed to address the qc blurring/averaging limitation. This paper describes the distortions which occur when obtaining sleeve friction measurements which can in association with qc blurring result in significant errors in the calculated Rf values. This paper outlines a novel and highly effective algorithm for obtaining accurate sleeve friction and friction ratio estimates. The fc optimal filter estimation technique is referred to as the OSFE-IFM algorithm. The mathematical details of the OSFE-IFM algorithm are outlined in this paper along with the results from a challenging test bed simulation. The test bed simulation demonstrates that the OSFE-IFM algorithm derives accurate estimates of sleeve friction from measured values. Optimal estimates of cone bearing and sleeve friction result in accurate Rf values and subsequent accurate estimates of soil behavior type.

Application of Nanotechnology in Soil Stabilization

Nano-technology is expanding its horizon in various science and technology fields.In civil engineering,soil is a complex material and used for various functions and applications.Meanwhile,sometimes an effective soil stabilization technique is needed to fulfil the site criteria and can be achieved by adopting various methods e.g.,physical,chemical,thermal or reinforcement using geotextiles and fabrics.The mechanism of soil stabilization using nanomaterials is still unexplored and open to prospective researchers.The present article attempts to touch and explore the possibilities of nano-technology in soil improvement and its applications in various civil engineering works.Microstructural analysis of the nanomaterials treated soils using the latest equipment has also been discussed.The study interprets that the use of nano materials is still limited,due to their high cost and sophisticated handling procedures.Though the use of nanoparticles in soil stabilization results in extraordinary improvements in various soil properties,the improved soil properties could be utilized for various geotechnical projects.The present study bridges the past findings to the present scenario of nanomaterials in soil improvement.

Correlation of Ground Penetrating Radar Data with Geotechnical Prospect Profiles: Reduto Case Study, Belém-PA, Brazil

The study presented in this manuscript aimed to relate the sedimentary strata imaged by the ground penetrating radar(GPR)method through numerical modeling with the mapping of sedimentary strata acquired through geotechnical surveys.The study aimed to expose how obtaining subsoil information through noninvasive/destructive electromagnetic waves is beneficial,as they are reliable and less costly than drilling holes beyond what is necessary to have a subsurface mapping.In this sense,physical-geological modeling was carried out.The information on the type of sediments,acquired through simple recognition surveys carried out in the city of Belém-PA,helped to create a model of a sedimentary package with its respective intrinsic physical properties.The result shows that the GPR recovered with good vertical and horizontal resolution at the beginning and end of the layers of the sedimentary package studied,proving to be very effective for locating geotechnical sounding points and safely reducing costs.